If your iPhone 5 randomly shuts off, here's how you can fix it!

Do you have an iPhone 5 that is turning off randomly before the battery is fully depleted? If so, you're not alone. This is an issue that seems to plague many iPhone 5 owners. In some cases, the issue is software related, while in others, it is caused by a defective battery. Regardless which category you fall under, we can help you fix it!

1. Hard reboot your iPhone 5

If you haven't already, the first thing you should do when you're having any kind of issue with any iPhone is hard reboot it. You can do this by holding down the Home button and Power button at the same time. Don't release them until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

If your iPhone 5 doesn't turn on at all, continue to the next step.

2. Plug your iPhone 5 into a charger

Most people that have a defective battery find that when they plug their iPhone 5 into a charger, it will begin charging and then power back on as if nothing was wrong after only a few moments. So if a hard reboot won't turn your iPhone 5 back on, try plugging it in.

If your iPhone 5 turns on, it should begin working normally again. However, this most likely means that the battery is defective and should be replaced either by Apple or by performing a DIY repair on your own. If you want to go the DIY route, use the following link for step by step instructions along with links to where you can buy a replacement battery and the tools you'll need for the repair.

3. Restore your iPhone

If neither step 1 or 2 seem to work for you, it's possible that a software issue is the culprit. In this case, you should plug your iPhone 5 into iTunes and manually try and restore it. If you aren't sure how to restore your iPhone via iTunes, you can follow our guide:

If a restore works but you experience the issue again, it could still be a defective battery, which means you should use the link in step 2 to replace the battery, or take it into an Apple Store to have it done for you.

Paul, do you have any info about that? The only thing similar to a recall I've seen is about the Sleep/Wake button on certain iPhone 5 models—I've never seen anything about the battery getting a recall notice.

Ally, I use an app to monitor RAM usage and free up RAM. I've noticed that even with a hard reboot, the amount of free memory does not change. Holding the power button until slide to power off does not change free memory either. During both processes, unused apps are flicked off and not running in the background. They "seem" to the same thing. Does this procedure for a hard reboot do more than a "slide to power off"?

Is there a user friendly procedure that I can use to assist others if freeing unused/inactive RAM without having to procure an app?

I have had this issue for some time now. It used to be my phone would shut off when it reached 20% percent battery. Now it shuts down when it reaches around 45% battery. I have never tried doing a hard reboot to see if it would come back on. I have always assumed it was just a battery issue and fully charged it. It is getting to be a pain in the neck!

Have this issue, too. Brought it to the Apple Store and high on cycles and life is like at 30%. Since I and 6 weeks away from an upgrade, likely to the 6, I am going to hold off. Replace the battery just before upgrade time and give my daughter my 5 with a new battery.

No there is just many issues with android phones rebooting randomly for no reason at all. I've had that issue before in previous android phones. Like ak_r7 said, "Any machine is prone is problems (including android)..".

Hi,
I went by doing a DIY battery replacement but when I close the phone it shuts down when I push display down and after that need to open the phone again to power on....any idea what went wrong with this phone???
Thanks